Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-05
EXPRESS COMPANIES HIT
I,rDGE COOLEY DECLARES
THEM IN THE PALE OF LAW.

.poraP Possibility That They May Be
AbIe to wriggle from Under the
Thumb of the COMMUNICATIONS
Committee Heard River Interests
psnresented by Congressman-The
Xohue and Ohio Road Makes Re
quest.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-The Interstate
Commerce Commission this morning pro-
mulrated the following rule Of proceed
ing:
Annlications made for official action of
tho commission shall be made by petition,
which snail set forth the facts on wh1cn
thew are founded and be verified by oath
q, the applicant, or some authorized
agent or attorney.
CONGRESSMAN Butterworth. of Ohio, ap-
neared with several gentlemen represent
ing river interests" aud asked In their
behalf an opportunity to be heard in re-
lation TO the matters represented by the
ranresentatives OF the Southern railroad
and steamship companies. They were
d given copIes of such documents as were
q Sied bv the railroad men, and withdrew
TO consider what steps they would take.
& MACON's COMMITTEE.
Messrs. W. Fl. Ross, 81. D. John
81 son. S. WaXelbaum and j. f. Han
81 s0n, committee representing the
81 Chamber of Commerce OF Macon, Ca,
were accorded hearing upon the subject
"a brought up by the Atlanta board and the
# southern railroad men on Saturday. They
submitted an elaborate written argument
81 in support of the petition for suspension
81 of Gne operation of the long
and short haul clause. 1t en-
81 hodIes scbedules showing that after
1# int hat
Macon and Northern points will be
81 increased from IS to so per cent. The
more sparsely settled condition OF the
South and it's deficiencies in many re-
spects as compared with the older manu-
Il featuring centres OF the North and East
were fully set forth as matters which
made the conditions substantially differ
ent from those which prevail between
East and West, and which justify the in
3 tervention OF the commission. A decla-
ration was made thRtil the Interpretation
now threatened had been foreseen when
til the bill was under consideration the
South would have opposed the measure
unanimously.
MOBILE AND OHIO's REQUEST.
Z. s. Russell, attorney for the Mobile
and OHIO Railroad Company, presented
s memorial praying that 1t be permitted TO
maintain It's local rates at non-competi-
5 tive points and meet competition at
* "unction" points by reduced rates. 1t
sets forth that the line extends from Mo-
bile to East st. Louis, and that it Is
crossed by twenty or more lines from the
Mississippi river, thus bringing it INTO
competition at many points with water
lines. The revenues of the road are at
present barely sufficient ID cover the
* fixed charges, and any reduction
So would endanger it's solvency. Mr..
Russell asked an opportunity
to address the commission on. Wednesday
aud was informed that this would be ac-
corded. 1t is expected that provisional
g ruling Will be made tomorrow on the
petition OF the Southern Railroad and
8 Steamship Association with respect to a
W continuance of the present rates tempo
rariy. IL Is likely that the sessions OF
tais week Will not be continued after
Wednesday evening.
LOWER CHARGES ASKED FOR.
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, presented
to the commission memorial adopted by
convention recently held at Walla
Walla, Washington Territory, composed
oil delegates from the various boards of
Trade IN Eastern Oregon and Washington,
setting forth the unreasonable nature OF
me freight charges on the railroads In
IaSt country, and PRAYING for action of
The commission in ordering reduction OF
rates. Mr.. Mitchell indorsed the memo
nal, and accompanied it with written
argument in support of the action prayed
or Senator Dolph, also OF Oregon, pre-
Snted memorial from the Board ot
lIahe at Walla Walla in relation to high
Vnsrges. The memorialists pray for Te
Nel IN time to save this years. crop fruE
e&orbltant freight charges.
LONG AND SHORT BAULs.
He also presented memorial from the
Board OF Trade of Portland, Ore, in rela-
noh 10 The long and short haul feature.
Inc nemorialists set forth the advantages
winch Portland has enjoyed as compared
WIN The interior by reason of her position
lA the coast. The water lines, they say,
9Sve nxed rates and the rail lines have
WlloWeu closely enough to prevent eXclu-
son from traffic. The Canadian Paoiti C
,alifoad, they further represent, built
una supported by the British government
W., Iue purpose of hOlding z
ana extending British commerce,
me detrlment Of American interests,
Sanother element Of question. The me-
journalists say they are not assured that
, oe tfue meaning of the law is such as to
Ofoid the making of ra tes to coast point
~ competition with those of water car
eIs ana the Canadian Pacific; yet il the
SoLlinlssion so sointerprets the law they ask
pOmpt use Of its dispensing power.
APPLIES 70 EXPRESS COMPANIES.
lhe following letter, written by the in
euuctl0n OF the commission. explains
Itself:
r, ", cheney. Esq. GensrdJ SuDerintendent
hr.dd,on EspreS' CoD,DdRy, Montreal:
ma LAR AK slR-l our letter OF the lst inst . re-
6S .'S'ls ois me decision OF the comm ssion upon
me,op putesuoh whether the Interstate com
Irer I'q law iaw applies to express companies has
,Sa.a 1n Ialu before the commission and duly con
Mbeoua, ~ any express company desires to
,on nsaTu Oy the commission on the question
for tba ia'se Sc an early opportunity win be offered
plo'Iue 'ue purpose, but until such hearing is ap-
law dnor lor the commission will assume that the
Peclfully yours. wy ~
T. Nj. COOLEY, Chairman.